discount

American  

[dis-kount, dis-kount, dis-kount] / ˈdɪs kaʊnt, dɪsˈkaʊnt, ˈdɪs kaʊnt /

verb (used with object)

1. to deduct a certain amount from (a bill, charge, etc.).

   All bills that are paid promptly will be discounted at two percent.

2. to offer for sale or sell at a reduced price.

   The store discounted all clothing for the sale.

3. to advance or lend money with deduction of interest on (commercial paper not immediately payable).

4. to purchase or sell (a bill or note) before maturity at a reduction based on the interest for the time it still has to run.

5. to leave out of account; disregard.

   Even if we discount the irrelevant material, the thesis remains mediocre.

6. to allow for exaggeration in (a statement, opinion, etc.).

   Knowing his political bias they discounted most of his story.

7. to take into account in advance, often so as to diminish the effect of.

   They had discounted the effect of a decline in the stock market.

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verb (used without object)

1. to advance or lend money after deduction of interest.

2. to offer goods or services at a reduced price.

noun

1. the act or an instance of discounting.

2. an amount deducted from the usual list price.

3. any deduction from the nominal value.

4. a payment of interest in advance upon a loan of money.

5. the amount of interest obtained by one who discounts.

6. an allowance made for exaggeration or bias, as in a report, story, etc..

   Even after all the discounts are taken, his story sounds phony.

adjective

1. selling or offered at less than the usual or established price.

   discount theater tickets.

2. selling goods at a discount.

   a discount drugstore.

idioms

1. at a discount,

   1. Commerce. below par.

   2. below the usual list price.

   3. in low esteem or regard.

      His excuses were taken at a discount by all who knew him.

   4. not in demand; unwanted.

      Such ancient superstitions are at a discount in a civilized society.

discount British  

verb

1. to leave out of account as being unreliable, prejudiced, or irrelevant

2. to anticipate and make allowance for, often so as to diminish the effect of

3. 1. to deduct (a specified amount or percentage) from the usual price, cost, etc

   2. to reduce (the regular price, cost, etc) by a stated percentage or amount

4. to sell or offer for sale at a reduced price

5. to buy or sell (a bill of exchange, etc) before maturity, with a deduction for interest determined by the time to maturity and also by risk

6. (also intr) to loan money on (a negotiable instrument that is not immediately payable) with a deduction for interest determined by risk and time to maturity

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noun

1. a deduction from the full amount of a price or debt, as in return for prompt payment or to a special group of customers See also cash discount trade discount

2. Also called: discount rate. 

   1. the amount of interest deducted in the purchase or sale of or the loan of money on unmatured negotiable instruments

   2. the rate of interest deducted

3. 1. (in the issue of shares) a percentage deducted from the par value to give a reduced amount payable by subscribers

   2. the amount by which the par value of something, esp shares, exceeds its market value Compare premium

4. the act or an instance of discounting a negotiable instrument

5. 1. below the regular price

   2. (of share values) below par

   3. held in low regard; not sought after or valued

6. (modifier) offering or selling at reduced prices

   a discount shop

discount More Idioms  

1. see at a discount.

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Other Word Forms

• discountable adjective
• discounter noun
• nondiscount adjective
• nondiscountable adjective
• nondiscounted adjective
• overdiscount verb (used with object)
• prediscount noun
• prediscountable adjective
• superdiscount noun
• undiscountable adjective
• undiscounted adjective

Etymology

Origin of discount

First recorded in 1615–25; dis- ¹ + count ¹, modeled on French décompter, Old French desconter, from Medieval Latin discomputāre

Example Sentences

Its shares trade around $11.50, a discount of more than 30% from its year-end NAV of $17.33 a share.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

That’s why Lindsey Wallace, 35, finds herself going to discount stores like Dollar Tree or local 99-cent stores in Los Angeles, scouring for good deals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The fact that TYG’s shares currently trade at a discount to the fund’s net asset value of around 4% could provide investors with an additional cushion.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The research team tested 11 shirts in a range of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, gray and blue, purchased from four retailers that included fast-fashion and discount brands.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The next day, after lunch, Concha took Lupita to a discount store close to the motel and helped her pick out a dress.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

Related Words

• disregard
• doubt
• forget
• minimize
• neglect
• omit
• overlook
• reject